Utilization of antenatal care services in Bangladesh: an analysis of levels, patterns, and trends from 1993 to 2007

Maternal mortality in Bangladesh was 320 per 100,000 live births between the years of 1998 and 2000. Utilization of maternal health services remains low in the low-resource countries like Bangladesh. This study attempts to evaluate the levels, patterns, and trends of utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services in Bangladesh. This is a descriptive study based on national surveys of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2007, 2004, 1999-2000, 1996-1997, and 1993-1994. Bangladeshi women reported low utilization of ANC. Approximately 52% of women received antenatal care from medically trained providers in 2007. The median number of ANC visits was 3.1 in 2007. About 63% of women were not informed about the signs of pregnancy complications. The proportion of women who received ANC services and information on the signs of pregnancy complications as well as the median number of ANC visits showed an increase in 2007 compared with 2004